This fits in with Jaguar’s strategy to sell fewer cars but at higher profits, first revealed by its CEO David Smith back in July. Now, the Aussie chief David Blackhall has revealed that Jaguar is looking to compete more with Bentley rather than its usual German competitors such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Speaking with GoAuto, Blackhall said “we talk about Jaguar as premium niche. The way I explain this to people is, closer to Bentley than BMW. That’s the territory we’ve got to keep heading towards in my opinion.”
Blackhall also reaffirmed that designers were focusing on alleviating many of the current car’s criticisms – namely the outdated styling and lack of engine options. One insider who had seen concept sketches for the car described it as looking like the C-XF’s features had been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide.
“I think everyone concedes the styling of the current model could have been different. It’s dynamically one of the best cars you ever could drive but the current XJ always for me personally was looking in the rear-view mirror far too much,” Blackhall said. “I think the new car will be true to the Jaguar tradition. This car will be a forward-looking car. No question.”
Part of the reason for the new model’s relatively fast development is that the modern aluminum chassis from the current model will carry over as well as the standard six-speed automatic transmission.
Recent test-mules, residing under modified sheet metal of the current model, revealed that a wider track, dual tip exhaust system, and aggressive front end will appear on the new model. Other design elements are said to include a sloping windscreen that extends into the roof, a large square grille and tail-lights similar to those used on the Bentley Continental GT. High-tech features inside are said to include pressure sensing buttons, combined with backlit glass panels and the retracting transmission selector knob used in the XF.
Expect to see a 5.0L supercharged V8 engine in the range topping model as well as a midlevel 4.2L V8 and entry-level V6 also appear. A turbodiesel option will remain and there’s even the possibility that Jaguar could use the new XJ to debut its new hybrid technology currently being developed together with the UK government.
Before the arrival of the new XJ, we’re likely to see the unveiling of a new concept called the C-XJ. Earlier this month, Jaguar registered several new trademarks with the UK Intellectual Property Office, one of which was ‘C-XJ’.
Reader Comments
Wed Jul 16 2008 9:03 AM
mlevere1992 says
Holy Crap! It looks like the car was in an accident!
Sun Aug 24 2008 8:12 PM
NoNameDenton says
It is called camo
Sun Aug 24 2008 8:15 PM
admin says
No, he's right. The July car WAS in an accident on the Nurburgring before our spy photographers shot it.
So it looks like they still have to fix some handling issues.
Mon Aug 25 2008 1:58 PM
SteveSteve says
looks the same as the old one...needs some new lights to sporty it up a bit
Sun Sep 7 2008 2:51 AM
greg says
I suppose this phot shows a car testing new mechanism of forecoming XJ .
The current XJ body must have been temporarily adopted with it.
I hear In fact new XJ's exteria will be drastically changed and be more simillar to XC-F than current XF.
W'ont it be?
Tue Sep 30 2008 5:09 PM
azlan says
yea looks the same whoever designed the xf get him again! the xf is awesome that should be the future of jag and the xj is nxt in line for some deffinate re-modelling
Leave a Comment
Login or register to leave comments.
Please keep your comments on topic. Your involvement is governed by our Privacy Policy and Terms.